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310 STEAK AROUND THE WORLD

Steak Around the World

Buenos Aires leads the world in the MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
preparation of succulent, tender At restaurants in Argentina’s wine capital,
beefsteaks. But global travelers can Mendoza, world-class red wines accompany
enjoy great steaks at several other Argentinian beefsteaks. Choose a downtown
parrilla or dine at a wine estate, where vistas
cities that lie close to lush, free-grazing
of vineyards and the snow-capped Andes form
grasslands and pride themselves on
the backdrop to premium wines and prime beef.
their beef-eating cultures.
Don Mario inexpensive
25 de Mayo 1324, Dorrego; www.donmario.com.ar
BUENOS AIRES At this basic parrilla, Don Mario allows his cooking to
Manolo inexpensive do the talking. The sweetbreads are outstanding and
Bolivar 1299, San Telmo; the sirloin and tenderloin steaks are fit for gauchos.
www.restaurantmanolo.com.ar The mixed grill option of combined delicacies and
Local Argentinians love this old-fashioned, cafeteria- beef cuts is excellent and economical.
style parrilla (restaurant serving grilled meats) for its
delicious delicacies, which are incredible bargains. Ocho Cepas moderate
Chitterlings and sweetbreads, textured like melted Peru 1192; www.ochocepas.com
butter and sprinkled with lemon juice, precede Ocho Cepas is a wine-and-gourmet-grill experience
tender grilled steaks. Service is fast, the ambience set within a beautifully refurbished colonial house,
loud, and walls feature soccer-themed memorabilia. run by Argentine chef Max Casa. Choose alfresco
dining beneath the Mendoza stars or opt for an
El Obrero moderate intimate interior table amid colonial arches. Meat
Agustín R. Caffarena 64, La Boca; +54 11 4362 9912 and wine options are both outstanding.
U2’s Bono, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Duvall
are three celebrities that have been drawn to dine at Cavas Wine Lodge expensive
this atmospheric steakhouse in the colorful La Boca Costaflores S/N; www.cavaswinelodge.com
portside district. It opened in 1954 and continues to This romantic restaurant is set in a luxury wine lodge
serve some of the best, and biggest, steaks in town. and spa, situated within a 35-acre (14-hectare)
Choose from the parrilla specials on the chalkboard vineyard. It emphasizes regional Mendoza cuisine,
and aim to arrive before the busiest time of 9:00 PM. from appetizers such as goat cheese terrine with
“wine caviar” to rib-eye steak with chimichurri – the
La Cabrera moderate spicy pesto-like sauce of choice for asados.
Cabrera 5099, Palermo Viejo;
www.parrillalacabrera.com.ar
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
A romantic steakhouse in one of the city’s prettiest
districts, La Cabrera comprises twin dining salons Uruguay has the highest number of meat-
of mosaic flooring, timber furnishings, and stripped- eaters per capita in the world, outshining even
bare walls. Its beefsteaks are huge and first-rate, its close neighbor, Argentina. Steakhouses in
and they come with around 12 side dishes, from its capital city, Montevideo, overlook the
Béarnaise sauce to roasted artichokes and mashed Atlantic Ocean and serve classic beef cuts
squash with raisins. Tables are candlelit; outdoor oozing with juices and flavors.
tables overlook a cobbled street.
La Casa Violeta moderate
Cabaña Las Lilas expensive Rambla Armenia 3667; www.lacasavioleta.com
Alicia Moreau de Justo 516; www.laslilas.com Choose a terrace table at gorgeous Violeta, which
Situated on the waterfront in the Puerto Madero faces one of Montevideo’s prettiest harbors.
docklands district, this exclusive parrilla serves There are seven kinds of steak, from rib-eye and
steaks from its own ranches. Ask for the superior porterhouse to the restaurant’s rib-chop specialty,
rib-eye cut and accompany it with one of the and the fantastic meats are whisked to tables on
700 premium Argentinian wines offered. long skewers in the local style.